towing CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2007 10.G User Guide

Outside Trailer-Tow Mirrors
If your vehicle has trailer towing type mirrors, they
can be adjusted so you can have a clear view
of the objects behind you. Manually pull out
the mirror head to extend it for better visibility
when towing a trailer.These mirrors can be manually folded forward or
rearward. The lower portion of the mirror is
convex. A convex mirror’s surface is curved so
you can see more from the driver’s seat. The
convex mirror can be adjusted manually to the
driver’s preferred position for better vision.
Your vehicle may have outside heated mirrors
which help clear them of condensation, snow, and
ice. When the rear window defogger button is
pressed, the heated mirrors are also turned on.
Only the upper glass of the mirror is heated.
The lower convex part of the mirror is not heated.
Your mirror may also have a turn signal arrow
that will ash in the direction of the turn or
lane change.
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This light may also come on due to low brake
uid. SeeBrakes on page 486for more
information.
This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If it does not come
on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push or may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the
light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 417.
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Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs that might not be covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those of the same
Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and can cause
this light to come on. Modications to these
systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This could also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 444.
This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired.This light will also come on during a malfunction in
one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and
service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on your
vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount
of cargo being hauled as soon as it is
possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
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Highbeam On Light
This light comes on
when the high-beam
headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on
page 207for more information.
Tow/Haul Mode Light
This light is displayed
when the Tow/Haul
mode has been
activated.
For more information, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 422andTow/Haul Mode on page 149.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage, when the ignition is on, tells you
about how much fuel you have left in your tank.
The gage will rst indicate empty before you
are out of fuel, and you should get more fuel as
soon as possible.
When the fuel tank is low, the FUEL LEVEL LOW
message will appear in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 270for more information.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your
Vehicle..................................................... 356
Defensive Driving...................................... 356
Drunken Driving........................................ 357
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 360
Braking...................................................... 360
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 361
Braking in Emergencies............................. 363
Locking Rear Axle..................................... 363
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 363
Steering.................................................... 367
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 369
Passing..................................................... 369
Loss of Control.......................................... 371
Off-Road Driving........................................ 372
Driving at Night......................................... 389
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 390
City Driving............................................... 393
Freeway Driving........................................ 394Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 396
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 397
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 398
Winter Driving........................................... 400
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 404
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 405
Recovery Hooks........................................ 406
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 407
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar
Equipment.............................................. 412
Towing........................................................ 417
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 417
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 418
Level Control............................................. 421
Autoride
®................................................... 422
Towing a Trailer........................................ 422
Trailer Recommendations.......................... 440
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
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Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you
spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transmission back and forth, you can
destroy the transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 530.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels. If
you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, shift into
Four-Wheel High or Four-Wheel Low. Turn
the StabiliTrak
®System off. SeeStabiliTrak®
System on page 363. Then shift back and forth
between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible.Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and
press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions,
you will cause a rocking motion that may free
your vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle out
after a few tries, it may need to be towed out.
Or, you can use the recovery hooks if your vehicle
has them. If your vehicle does need to be towed
out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 417.
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The Tire and Loading Information label also shows
the size of the original equipment tires (C) and
the recommended cold tire ination pressures (D).
For more information on tires and ination see
Tires on page 507andInation - Tire Pressure on
page 515.
There is also important loading information on the
vehicle Certication/Tire label. It tells you the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the
front and rear axles. See “Certication/Tire Label”
later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your
vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.4. The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 422for important information
on towing a trailer, towing safety rules and
trailering tips.
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Q:What is total vehicle reserve capacity?
A:This is the difference between your GVWR and
the weight of your vehicle with full fuel and
passengers. It is the amount of weight you can
add to your vehicle before reaching your
GVWR. Keep in mind that reserve capacity
numbers are intended as a guide when
selecting the amount of equipment or cargo
your vehicle can carry. If you are unsure
of your vehicle’s front, rear, or total weight, go
to a weigh station and weigh your vehicle.
Your dealer can also help you with this.
The total vehicle reserve capacity for your
vehicle can be found in the lower right corner
of the Certication/Tire label as shown
previously.
See your dealer for additional advice and
information about using a snow plow on your
vehicle. Also, seeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 407.
Emergency Roof Lamp Provisions
Vehicles with the RPO VYU snow plow prep
package also have an emergency roof lamp
provision package, RPO TRW. Wiring for the
emergency roof lamp is provided above the
overhead console. SeeAuxiliary Roof Mounted
Lamp on page 218for switch location.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 604.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind
a motorhome), see “Recreational Vehicle
Towing” following.
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Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle – such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as dinghy
towing, towing your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground, and dolly towing, towing your
vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two
wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”.
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See
“Dinghy Towing” and “Dolly Towing”, following.
Here are some important things to consider before
you do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing
vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they
can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as
you would prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on
a Long Trip on page 396.
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice:If you tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Do not
tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed
with all four wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being towed.
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Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle:
1. Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
2. Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition on.
3. Firmly set the parking brake.
4. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s
transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause
your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or
others could be injured. Make sure the
parking brake is rmly set before you shift
the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
5. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 150for the proper
procedure to select the NEUTRAL (N)
position for your vehicle.
6. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the towing vehicle.
7. Turn the ignition off.
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